by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

Jim Fregosi, whose outsized personality complemented his significant stature in baseball through six decades as a player, manager, scout and executive, died Friday morning from complications of a stroke, his son Jim Fregosi Jr. confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

He was 71.

Fregosi, taken off life support Thursday afternoon, was on a cruise headed from Grand Cayman to Cozumel, Mexico when he suffered two strokes last weekend. The ship returned to Grand Cayman, Fregosi was airlifted to a hospital Tuesday night in Miami.

Fregosi was a six-time All-Star in an 18-year major league career that at times hinted at possible Hall of Fame consideration. Injuries, however, sidetracked him and he retired at 36 as one of the dominant shortstops of his era and most recognizable face of the nascent Los Angeles Angels franchise.

His managerial career began immediately after his playing days ended, and he helmed the Angels, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays over 15 seasons. The highlight came in 1993, when he led a raucous band of Phillies to the National League pennant before they lost to Toronto in a six-game World Series. He also led the Angels to the first playoff berth in franchise history, an appropriate milestone for one of their original stars.

He had his number retired by the Angels in 1988, and is a member of their Hall of Fame. He also was presented with the George Genovese award for excellent in scouting in 2010.

Fregosi had been a special assistant and scout for the Atlanta Braves for the past 13 years.

He was a beloved fixture among scouts and baseball executives and was an integral part of Atlanta's front-office brain trust and considered their top scout.

Fregosi, who won 11 varsity letters in baseball, football, basketball and track at Serra High School in San Mateo, Calif., was the Angels' starting shortstop by the age of 20. In two years, he was an All-Star. He became a major-league manager at the age of 36, managing the likes of Don Baylor, Nolan Ryan, Bobby Grich and Joe Rudi. He led the Angels to the American League West division title his first full season in 1979, and even supplanted future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa during his career, replacing him in 1986 with the Chicago White Sox.

Fregosi's life in baseball began at 19, when he debuted at shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels in the inaugural year of that franchise. He made five consecutive All-Star teams from 1966-70, bringing a dimension of power and offensive production to shortstop that was rare for that era. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 82 runs in 1968, and was a lifetime .265 hitter.

But a tumor in his foot and a slew of other injuries hastened a decline, and the Angels traded him to the New York Mets after the 1971 season â?? a deal that netted the Angels Nolan Ryan. Stints with the Mets, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates rounded out his playing days, which concluded when he left the Pirates after 20 games in 1978 to manage the Angels.

Fregosi last managed in 2000, with the Blue Jays before shifting permanently into front office and scouting roles.

Fregosi is survived by his wife, Joni, and five children: Jim Jr., special assistant to the GM for the Kansas City Royals; Jennifer, Nicole, Robert and Lexi.